Fender.



G.KLEIN.

FENDER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 8, 1913.

. Patented Apr. 21, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

. @mom/W01, Conrad Klein COLUMBIA PLANUGRAPM C0.. WASHINGTON, D. c.

IBNDERl APPLICATION FILED APR,8, 1913. l 1 093 785, Patented Apr.21,1911 3 5 s SHEETS-#SHEET 2.

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FENDER.

APPLICATION FILED IPR. a, 1913.

1,093,785. Patented Apr. 21, 1914 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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l I M l /3 /O 8 #f ryu- 7 6 Ei WTNESSES: INVENT? Conrad Klein CDITUMBIA PLANQGRAPH Co.. WASHINGTON, D. c.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEroE.

CONRAD KLEIN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

FENDER.

. To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, CONIL-in KLEIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fenders, of which the following is a speciiication.

My invention relates to improvements in fenders, and more particularly to an improved fender designed for use on automobiles and similar vehicles, the object of the invention being to provide a normally elevated fender which is released and permit-` ted to lower when the bumper engages a person or object.

A further object is to provide an improved fender which may be attached to any ordinary vehicle, and which may be folded to occupy but small space when not in use.

lVith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangement of parts as will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a view in plan illustrating my improvements showing the front portion of an automobile with which the fender is connected and a horizontal section of the latter taken along the line X X of Fig. Q. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the fender without showing any attaching means. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the fender in its lowered position. Fig. e is a frag mentary view on an enlarged scale in longitudinal section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a view in section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;. Fig. 6 is a view in section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a view in longitudinal section on an enlarged scale through the center of the fender support ing bar illustrating the ratchet wheel and its controlling means. Flg. 8 is a view in section on an enlarged scale on the line 8-8 of Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is a view in side elevation illustrating the fender in lowered position. Fig. 10 is a similar view showing lthe fender in elevated position, and Fig. 11 is a view in vertical section on an enlarged scale through the fender bar 5 along the line 11-11 of Fig. 3.

1 represents a hollow bar which may be variously formed for strength and dura` bility and which has parallel front and rear Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 8, 1913.

Patented Apr. 21, 1914.

Serial No. 759,820.

plates 2, 2, fixed to or integral with rectangular sleeves 3 forming guides at the ends of the bar. The bar l is bent centrally between its ends, so that it projects forwardly at the center and gradually inclines rearwardly from its center to its ends.

In the rectangular sleeves 3, channel iron posts 4 are mounted to move vertically, and at their lower ends are secured to a fender bar Enlargements 6 on the upper end of the posts 4: limit the downward movement of the posts in the sleeves 3, and springs 7 are coiled around pins 7a in the bar 1. These springs at their shorter ends bear against the lower surface of the bar l and bear at their free ends on top of fender bar 5 to assist gravity in lowering the fender bar 5.

It will be noted that the lower face of bar l, and the upper face of bar 5 are grooved, so that the springs 7 are eifectually housed when the fender bar 5 is in its elevated position, as seen most clearly in Fig. 2. The bar 1, at its ends, is secured to curved arms 8, and the latter have rotary mounting in sleeves 9 at the ends of forwardly projecting bars 10. These bars 10 are secured to the front aXle 11 of the vehicle 12 by means of angle bolts 13 and nuts 1i, as clearly shown in Fig. 6.

The journaled ends of the arms 8 are connected with the intermediate portion of the bar l by braces 15. A horizontal rod 18 also connects the 'arms S, and this rod 18 and thc braces 15 constitute a support for a horizontal frame 20 containing a netting 19. rlhis netting 19 acts to support a person falling over the top of the bar 1, and the frame 2() has a hinge mounting 17, on the braces 15, to allow the frame to be swung to a vertical position whenever desired.

By reference particularly` to Figs. 4, and 5, it will be seen that the posts i are provided on all four sides with roller bearings 16 which reduce friction to a minimum and allow free vertical movement in the sleeves Stra-ps 21 are securedto eyes 22 on the fender bar 5 near the ends of the latter, and are passed over pulleys 24C located in openings 23 in t-he inner walls of the sleeves 3. rFliese straps 21 are secured to drums Q7 at opposite sides of a ratchet wheel 28, said drums and ratchet wheel being keyed to turn with a short shaft 9.7 horizontally disposed and mounted in the bar 1 at the center thereof. This shaft 27 projects rearwardly through the bar l, and is provided with a cra-nk 29 at its rear end to turn the same. It will be noted that the straps 2l extending from opposite ends of the bar 1 are wound reversely on their respective drums, so that the turning of the shaft 2T tends to wind both of said straps in a direction to elevate the fender bar 5. The ratchet wheel 28 is engaged by a. spring-pressed pawl 29 which is connected to ropes 30. These ropes 30 project in opposite directions from the pawl 29, and are passed over pulleys 31, and at their ends are secured to the ends of the bar 1. These ropes 30 are also positioned in front of pulleys 26 supported in brackets 25 secured to the front plate of the bar 1, and the said ropes 31 also project through openings 34 in rods 35 extending through registering guide sleeves 36 and 37 on the rear and front faces, respectively, of the bar l. The pulleys 38 are mounted in the openings Bet to reduce wear on the ropes 80, and the forward movement of the rods 35 is limited by heads 39 ou the rear ends of said rods, as is clearly shown in Fig. S. On the forward ends of the rods 35, T- couplings d() are secured, and in these "l"- couplings st-O, a bumper rod 41 is loosely mounted, so that the bumper rod has longitudinal movement in the T-couplings et() to compensate for the varying movement of the latter, as the rods are moved rearwardly. In other words, it will be noted that the rod 41 conforms in general shape to the shape of the bar 1, and that the rods 35 are at right angles to rod 41, so that they are at an angle to the line of draft of the machine, hence when the rod tl is moved rearwardly,

" the several rods 35 will be moved angularly with relation thereto, and a movement of rod i-1 in the T-couplings a0 is necessary to compensate for this difference in movement. When the shaft 27 is turned in one direction, it will cause the straps 21 to wind on the drums 27a and elevate thefender bar 5 to the posit-ion shown in Fig. 2, the pawl 29 holding the same in this elevated position. Vhen the bumper 4-1 engages a person or object, the rods 35 will be moved rearwardly, exerting a pull on the ropes 30 to release the pawl 29 whereupon the springs 7, assisted by gravity, will move the bar 5 downwardly into position to strike the person or object and deflect it or them to one side. The enlargements 6 limit the downward movement of bar 5, and it is" the intention of the inventor to stop the bar 5 a few notches above the surface of the pavement.

' Y When not in use the fender mav be folded by swinging the same upwardly and rearwardly, the sleeves 9 acting as bearings in which the arms 8 turn. lf the person struck falls over the top of the bar 1, he will be deposited upon the netting 19 and supported until the machine can be brought to a stop.

Various slight changes might he made iu the general form and arrangement ot partsI described without. departing from my invention, and hence I do not limit myself to the precise details set forth. but consider myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a hollow bar having guides therein, vertical posts movable in the guides, enlargements on the upper ends of the posts limiting their movement through the bar, a fender bar secured to the lower ends of the posts, means within the hollow bar normally holding the 'tender bar in elevated position, and springs between the bars adapted to force, the fender bar downwardly when permitted by said holdingl means, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a hollow bar having guides therein, vertical posts movable in the guides, enlargements on the upper ends of the posts limiting their movement through the bar, a fender bar secured to the lower ends of the posts, means in the first-mentioned bar for holding elevated the fender bar, a bumper adapted to release said means and permit the fender. bar to fall, means within the hollow bar normally holding the fender bar in elevated position, and springs between the bars adapted to force the fender bar downwardly when permitted by said holding' means, substantially as described.

8. The combination with a bar having guides therein, vertical posts movable in the guides, enlargements on the upper ends of the posts limiting their movement through the bar, a fender bar secured to the lower ends of the posts, means in the first-mentioned bar for holding elevated the fender bar, a bumper adapted to release said means and permit the fender bar to fall, said firstmentioned bar having a grooved lower face, said fender bar having a grooved upper face, and springs secured to the upper bar and engaging the lower bar, and housed wit-hin the grooves of said bars when the lower bar is elevated, substantially as described.

4. The combination with a hollow bar, and guides in the ends of said hollow bar, of posts movable in said guides, means on the posts limiting their downward movement, a fender bar secured to said posts below the first-mentioned bars, springs exerting downward pressure on the fender bar, a shaft supported in the first-mentioned bar, flexible devices connecting the shaft with the fender bar, means for turning the shaft to wind the flexible devices and elevate the fender bar, a ratchet wheel secured to turn with the shaft, a pawl controlling the ratchet wheel, and a bumper controlling the releasing pawl, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a hollow bar, and guides in the ends of said hollow bar, of posts movable in said guides, means on the posts limiting their downward movement, a fender bar secured to said posts below the first-mentioned bars, springs exerting downward pressure on the fender bar, a shaft supported in the first-mentioned bar, flexible devices connecting the shaft with the fender bar, means for turning the shaft to wind the flexible devices and elevate the fender bar, a ratchet wheel secured to turn with the shaft, a pawl controlling the ratchet wheel, rods movable through the first-mentioned bar, said rods having openings there in, flexible devices connected to the pawl and extending through said openings, and a bumper connected to and adapted to move said rods, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a hollow bar, and guides in the ends of said hollow bar, of posts movable in said guides, means on the posts limiting their downward movement, a fender bar secured to said posts below the first-mentioned bars, springs exerting downward pressure on the fender bar, a shaft supported in the first-mentioned bar, flexible devices connecting the shaft with the fender bar, means for turning the shaft to wind the flexible devices and elevate the fender bar, a ratchet wheel secured to turn with the shaft, a pawl controlling the ratchet wheel,

rods movable through the first-mentioned bar, said rods having openings therein, flexible devices connected to the pawl and extending through said openings, T-couplings on the outer ends of said rods, and a bumper bar movably mounted in said T-couplings, substantially as described.

7. The combination with a hollow bar, and guides in the ends of said hollow bar, of posts movable in said guides, means on the posts limiting their downward movement, a fender bar secured to said posts below the first-mentioned bars, springs exerting downward pressure on the fender bar, a shaft supported in the first-mentioned bar, flexible devices connecting the shaft with the fender bar, means for turning the shaft te wind the flexible devices and elevate the fender bar. a ratchet wheel secured to turn with the shaft, a pawl controlling the ratchet wheel, a bumper controlling the releasing pawl, bars adapted to be secured to a vehicle axle and having sleeves at their forward ends, arms xed to the first-mentioned barv and mounted to turn in the sleeves, rods connecting said arms with the first-mentioned bar, and a frame supported on said lastmentioned rods, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specication in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CONRAD KLEIN. Witnesses:

C. R. ZIEGLER, CHAs, E. Po'r'rs.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

